Junior Achievement Wraps Up at McKinley School

The students of Ms. Diana Webb’s third grade class looked on intently as Kevin Demshak, a Regional Consultant with Fidelity Brokerage Services, handed checks to several students in exchange for cash. These students were the “bankers” in Mr. Demshak’s activity “You Can Bank On It”, the last activity of five in Junior Achievement’s Elementary School Program at McKinley School.

The goal of the program is to teach students about financial literacy and the history of entrepreneurship. Children in this class were learning about common financial transactions such as writing checks, balancing a check book and ATM card usage. Other sessions included marketing, small business operations, community relations and zoning matters.

Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut is providing programs to more than 1704 students in 87 elementary and high school classes largely through the generosity of 80 corporate, foundation and individual donors. Classes were held at five of the town’s elementary schools, one of the parochial schools and Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Fidelity Investments’ partnership included 7 business volunteers including Kevin Demshak and Caroline Marshall. Additional classes were sponsored by Bigelow Tea and The Bank of Fairfield.

“It’s an excellent program that allows children to understand business and communities,” Ms. Webb said. “The activities make this learning experience more exciting.”

All sessions are created by the JA Central Office and each of the volunteers is provided with a kit from JA to facilitate the sessions. Today’s kit included demonstration checks, registers and play money.

Student Sam Stalling said “Junior Achievement is very fun, especially with Mr. Demshak.”

According to Demshak, a 6-year veteran of the program, once the business leaders are in the classroom and leading the program, they are hooked. “There is nothing better to inspire kids in America, to learn about business. I get more out of it than the students.”

All together there are 118 volunteers, mostly parents and local business people. “The success of the program depends on the volunteers” says Ms. Rago.

To volunteer with the Western Connecticut Junior Achievement, please contact Harriet Rago at 203-382-0180 ext.11